Advice needed for common-law sponsorship

[reservoirdog]

Hi all, I am posting this topic to get advice about my specific situation. Any help is appreciated!
I am currently in Canada on a TWP. I arrived to Canada on a visitor status in December 2011. That's when I started living with my girlfriend. I managed to find a job offer in February and a positive LMO by May 2012. That's when I became temporary resident. My WP will expire in May 2014, so I'm trying to get PR before then.

In one month or so I'll be considered as common-law partner with my girlfriend, because we have been living together for 1 year.

My main concerns are that we might not have enough proofs of living together, or that she might be denied as a sponsor.
The reasons why I'm feeling like this is cause we have been living together, yes, but we don't have any proofs about it because she has always lived at home and right now we are staying her parents'. At first I lived with them together, then we have moved in the basement apartment. But still, we don't have any contract or so, since it's her family. And we don't have any house bills on our names, even if we do contribute to pay them. Also, she is a student and she doesn't have a great income.

Basically all the documents we have so far are:
Joint bank account
A life insurance on myself with my girlfriend as beneficiary
Monthly credit card reports (we share the same account where we are both authorized users)
I receive lots of mail at her address from work, banks, etc

Then we have tons of proofs of our relationship during the last 5 years (passport stamps, boarding cards, proofs of trips together, skype conversations, emails, lot of pictures...).
We plan to get also some Letters of Supports from our families and close friends.

So, my questions are:
Would it make more sense to wait May 2013, so that it will be 1 year that we have lived together since the beginning of my TWP?
Could my girlfriend by denied to sponsor me because of a low income?
Does it matter that we are living at her parents' house?

Am I forgetting anything important?

Thank you!

 

[LeisaP]

As long as you have been living together for one year you can apply. U dont have to wait since you have been a temporary resident.

there is no minimum income for spousal sponsorship.

I have seen many people apply that live with their parents, its fine, just make sure to get them to write a letter and get is notarized saying you both live together at their house as a common-law relationship.


Also might I suggest going to a notary office and signing a common-law declaration. its like a legal document for common-law`s

We were common-law and we got this piece and paper. and I know a few people who didnt and they were asked for it during the process.

Good luck!

 

[canadianwoman]

The mail addressed to both of you or either one at the same address is good proof: you need the envelopes too, unless the letter is from somewhere official and has the date on it (eg., letters from a bank, the government, a hospital, etc.).
Joint bank account and credit cards are good evidence; it would be best if you have proof you have had them for at least a year. If less than a year, it is still good proof the relationship is genuine.
Get an affidavit from the parents stating you have been living with their daughter in a conjugal relationship in their house for at least a year - this will take the place of a lease with both names.
If you could get a letter or affidavit from anyone else in a position of authority stating that they know you have been living together for year, that would be good additional proof. Such people could include a religious leader, your doctor, someone like that.

 

[reservoirdog]

Thank you very much! I have two more questions:

1) In my case, considering I have italian citizenship, do you think I should apply inland or outland?

2) If I apply outland, in case they call me for an interview, how do they decide the date of it? Do they just tell you when? Or can you decide a date with the VO? Just wondering, cause I'd hate to have to take vacation time to fly to Italy for the interview

 

[Sweden]

Thank you very much! I have two more questions:

1) In my case, considering I have italian citizenship, do you think I should apply inland or outland?

2) If I apply outland, in case they call me for an interview, how do they decide the date of it? Do they just tell you when? Or can you decide a date with the VO? Just wondering, cause I'd hate to have to take vacation time to fly to Italy for the interview

Hey reservoirdog,

For the interview date - the VO gives you a date and that's it - I don't think that you can really discuss with them. The point is - you're supposed to be close to your VO when you apply ( not saying that you should of course - I'm also in Canada)...

About inland and outland - you can read the first post with the pros and cons to give you an idea.
Rome VO has a average of 12 months, but quite a few people are done before (if you look up dkera for example you will see his timeline, and there is also a thread for people going through the Rome office), so it's up to you.

Main advantage of outland is that you can travel in and out of Canada during your application, and you retain the right of appeal.

In terms of timing, in your case inland and outland might be almost similar, inland would probably be longer but you would get a work permit after stage 1...

Interviews for Europeans are quite rare, especially if you prepare quite well your application - they are rather the exception than the rule.

Good luck with your decision!
Sweden

 

[frenchie57]

Hi all, I am posting this topic to get advice about my specific situation. Any help is appreciated!
I am currently in Canada on a TWP. I arrived to Canada on a visitor status in December 2011. That's when I started living with my girlfriend. I managed to find a job offer in February and a positive LMO by May 2012. That's when I became temporary resident. My WP will expire in May 2014, so I'm trying to get PR before then.

In one month or so I'll be considered as common-law partner with my girlfriend, because we have been living together for 1 year.

My main concerns are that we might not have enough proofs of living together, or that she might be denied as a sponsor.
The reasons why I'm feeling like this is cause we have been living together, yes, but we don't have any proofs about it because she has always lived at home and right now we are staying her parents'. At first I lived with them together, then we have moved in the basement apartment. But still, we don't have any contract or so, since it's her family. And we don't have any house bills on our names, even if we do contribute to pay them. Also, she is a student and she doesn't have a great income.

Basically all the documents we have so far are:
Joint bank account
A life insurance on myself with my girlfriend as beneficiary
Monthly credit card reports (we share the same account where we are both authorized users)
I receive lots of mail at her address from work, banks, etc

Then we have tons of proofs of our relationship during the last 5 years (passport stamps, boarding cards, proofs of trips together, skype conversations, emails, lot of pictures...).
We plan to get also some Letters of Supports from our families and close friends.

So, my questions are:
Would it make more sense to wait May 2013, so that it will be 1 year that we have lived together since the beginning of my TWP?
Could my girlfriend by denied to sponsor me because of a low income?
Does it matter that we are living at her parents' house?

Am I forgetting anything important?

Thank you!

Provide anything you have, the more the better.
If I were you, I would also get a letter from your girlfriend's parents saying that you have been living with them and get this letter notarized.
Your TWP does not matter, the only thing that matters is how long you've been living together.

 

[reservoirdog]

Thank you to all of you for your help
I really appreciate it